“What are you looking at?” I followed his gaze, but there was no one there, and when I turned back to him, the bench was empty. I caught a glimpse of him down the path just before he rounded the corner.
Damn, he was fast. But he’d left his book. I grabbed it and ran after him, but by the time I got to the intersection, there was no sight of him.
A quick flip through revealed some kind of student roster. There were several image prints of students on each page, with their names printed beneath in neat script. The prints were sharp, the black and white images clear, not like the grainy image prints I was used to. They must have been taken by one of the more expensive Image Scribes. There was a magitech version in circulation right now called the Image Weaver. Did they have one of those here?
I shook off my thoughts and stood, tucking the book under my arm. I’d have to return it to Timothy. Maybe I’d see him at supper.
I retraced my steps out of the garden. I had work to do, like the reading for Mistress Selethis’s class.
Maybe there was something in one of the textbooks about the library Dharma had mentioned in her journal.
Ugh. I’d forgotten how much I hated studying. Thank Trinity I had the challenge with Tamina to break up the evening’s monotony. I was due a decent adrenaline spike.
Coral Isle couldn’t come soon enough.
CHAPTER 22
One must ask: Why would the sea aid the land? After decades of humans using their waters as a waste ground, why come to our aid now? What has the Imperium Alius offered them?
CUSTODES HOMINUM ADDRESS, 145 A.O.
Despite my best intentions to research the library, I got caught up sketching in my cryptozoology journal. The dragon had been the most challenging one to get right. I was almost out of pages. I’d need to procure a new journal soon. I fell asleep while doing the required reading for Selethis, missed supper, and woke to Dori banging on my door—it was time to head to Coral Isle.
The sea between us and the island was like a smooth sheet of glass, gleaming with moonlight and the twinkle of stars. The line that waited for one of the two boats to ferry us across buzzed with excitement.
Frost crackled beneath my boots, and the air misted with each breath I took. It was freezing this close to the sea, despite there being no gusty wind.
I’d borrowed a large, fleece-lined coat from Benedict. It fell to mid-thigh, keeping the top half of my body nice and warm. But the chill still found my legs, creeping through the material of my trousers to kiss my skin. I tugged the knitted hat down over my ears—a bright pink loaner from Dori. Something I couldn’t see her ever actually wearing.
She’d opted for a black knitted slouch cap and a fitted leather jacket, while Clary, wrapped in a wool coat and gloves, stamped her feet to stay warm. “It’s a lot busier than usual.”
“News of your match with Tamina has got around,” Dori said.
“It’s going to be a crush.” Benedict frowned. “You should change your mind,” he added wearily—we’d had this conversation several times on the way to the dock already.
I gave him a warning glance, answer enough, and he shook his head.
* * *
He’d triedto use my hand as an excuse to get me to back down. After all, how could I punch with a fractured hand? But I’d told him I had a mean left hook. Perks of being ambidextrous. Truth was, my hand felt fine. The bandage was just for show.
“The Hamlin was nothing compared to what Tamina can do,” Dori said. “I’m with Benedict. I think you should reconsider and?—”
“Guys, please. This ismychoice.”
“Well, in that case, it’s lucky I brought you a change of clothes.” Clary patted her bag.
“Change of clothes? For the blood?”
“No,” Dori said. “For when you piss and shit yourself.”
“Wow, thanks for the vote of confidence.”
She winced. “No, I mean, it’s happened before, so best to be prepared.”
Doubt prickled my skin, but I shook it off. I could do this. I’d be fine. No fear. No pain. It would be a breeze.
With my curse letting up where pleasure was concerned, I’d been a little worried that the pain aspect might also be affected, but my throat hadn’t hurt after Sterling’s attack, and a few stabs with a needle earlier this evening double confirmed that the curse was still fully active where pain was concerned.
